Die Another Day

Die Another Day
Name	Die Another Day
Director	Lee Tamahori
Producer	Michael G. Wilson
Writer	Neal Purvis
Starring	Pierce Brosnan, Halle Berry, Toby Stephens, Rosamund Pike, Rick Yune, Judi Dench, John Cleese
Music	David Arnold
Cinematography	David Tattersall
Editing	Christian Wagner
Studio	Eon Productions
Distributor	Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Country	United Kingdom, United States
Language	English

Die Another Day is a 2002 spy film and the twentieth installment in the James Bond film series. Directed by Lee Tamahori and produced by Michael G. Wilson, it features Pierce Brosnan in his fourth and final performance as MI6 agent James Bond. The film's narrative involves a North Korean conflict, a diamond-powered satellite weapon, and marked the franchise's 40th anniversary with numerous references to prior films. It was a major commercial success but received mixed reviews from critics for its heavy reliance on computer-generated imagery and over-the-top action sequences.

Plot

After a mission in the Korean Demilitarized Zone goes awry, James Bond is captured and tortured by North Korean forces for fourteen months. Following a prisoner exchange, he is stripped of his 00 agent status by M and must pursue rogue North Korean People's Army colonel Moon on his own initiative. Bond's investigation leads him to Cuba, where he meets American agent Jinx Johnson, and later to Iceland, tracking billionaire Gustav Graves. Graves is revealed to be Colonel Moon, having used gene therapy to alter his appearance, and plans to use a satellite weapon, Icarus, to destroy the Korean Demilitarized Zone and instigate a war. Bond, with help from Jinx Johnson and MI6 ally Miranda Frost, thwarts the scheme in a final confrontation at Graves's ice palace.

Cast

Pierce Brosnan portrays James Bond, with Halle Berry co-starring as NSA agent Jinx Johnson. Toby Stephens plays the primary antagonist, Gustav Graves, while Rick Yune appears as his original identity, Colonel Moon. Rosamund Pike features as undercover MI6 agent Miranda Frost, and Judi Dench reprises her role as M. John Cleese appears as Q, taking over from the late Desmond Llewelyn, and Michael Madsen plays Damian Falco. Supporting roles include Will Yun Lee as Zao, Kenneth Tsang as General Moon, and Mikhail Gorevoy as Vladimir Popov.

Production

Development began under producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli of Eon Productions, with a script by Neal Purvis and Robert Wade. Director Lee Tamahori was hired to bring a more visceral style, with principal photography occurring at Pinewood Studios and on location in the UK, Spain, Iceland, and Hawaii. The film heavily utilized computer-generated imagery for sequences like the parahawking chase and the climactic battle at the ice palace. David Arnold composed the score, and the title song was performed by Madonna, who also made a cameo appearance as a fencing instructor.

Release

The film premiered at the Royal Albert Hall in London on November 18, 2002, before its wide theatrical release by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in the United Kingdom and United States the following day. Its marketing campaign was extensive, featuring partnerships with major brands like Ford for the Aston Martin Vanquish and Jaguar for the Jaguar XKR. It was also the first Bond film released in the IMAX format. The home media release followed in 2003, topping sales charts in multiple regions.

Reception

The film was a significant box office success, grossing over $430 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing Bond film at the time unadjusted for inflation. Critical reception was polarized; praise was directed at the performances of Pierce Brosnan and Halle Berry, the action set pieces, and the anniversary tributes. However, many critics, including those from The New York Times and Variety, derided its implausible plot and excessive use of computer-generated imagery. It was nominated for several awards, including a Razzie Award for Worst Supporting Actor, but also won a Saturn Award for Best Actress for Halle Berry.

Legacy

As the final film starring Pierce Brosnan, it concluded an era for the franchise, leading to a reboot with Casino Royale starring Daniel Craig. The film is often cited for its camp tone and spectacle-driven approach, which influenced the subsequent shift towards a grittier, more character-focused style in later installments. Elements like the invisible car became iconic, albeit controversial, symbols of the film. It remains a notable, if divisive, entry for commemorating the 40th anniversary of the film series with numerous Easter eggs and references to movies like Dr. No and Goldfinger.

Category:2002 films Category:James Bond films Category:British spy films